Vitamin Information Center

Bulimia Nervosa
Synonyms
Eating Disorder
Definition
Bulimia nervosa is characterized by frequently occurring
bouts of binge eating and a permanent preoccupation
with food. Bouts of binge eating are followed
by attempts to compensate the fattening effects of the
food through various behaviors (emesis, abuse of laxatives,
fasting). Repeated vomiting is likely to give rise
to disturbances of body electrolytes and physical complications.
There is often, but not always, a history of an
earlier episode of anorexia nervosa, the interval ranging
from a few months to several years. It occurs most
often at the age of 18 to 20 years.
Cross-References
 Eating Disorders

Binge-Eating Disorder
Definition
The term binge-eating disorder was introduced only in
1990 and involves regular bouts of ravenous eating,
but without fulfilling the other criteria of anorexia or
 bulimia nervosa. Individuals suffering from bingeeating
disorder eat large amounts of food and they
eat much more rapidly than normal. ICD-10 classifies
binge-eating disorder as an “other eating disorder not
otherwise specified”.
Cross-References
 Eating Disorders

Atypical Bulimia nervosa
Definition
Atypical bulimia nervosa disorders are disorders that
fulfill some of the features of  bulimia nervosa, but in
which the overall clinical picture does not justify that
diagnosis. For instance, there may be recurrent bouts
of overeating and overuse of purgatives without significant
weight change, or the typical overconcern about
body shape and weight may be absent.
Cross-References
 Eating Disorders

Atypical Anorexia nervosa
Definition
Atypical anorexia nervosa disorders are disorders that
fulfill some of the features of  anorexia nervosa but in
which the overall clinical picture does not justify that
diagnosis. For instance, one of the key symptoms, such
as amenorrhoea or a marked dread of being fat, may
be absent in the presence of obvious weight loss and
weight-reducing behavior.
Cross-References
 Eating Disorders

Anorexia nervosa
Definition
Persons suffering from anorexia nervosa show selfinflicted,
substantial weight loss and retention of weight
that is too low for their age (BMI < 17.5 kg/m2 in
adults), or insufficient weight gain, accompanied by the
conviction that one is overweight despite being underweight.
Anorexia nervosa occurs most often at the age
of 14.
Cross-References
 Eating Disorders

The only battle that most people across the world seem to be bothered and frustrated about is that of the bulge. If a person is not of a perfect shape, or rather what is defined as the hour glass figure by the society, they are frowned upon and ridiculed. Today, there are more people than there was about 2decades back who are obese and are lost trying to find a solution. Children are over weight, and they go through trauma dealing with friends and classmates who make fun of them day in and day out. It has been found that nearly 40-60% of the world population is struggling with their weight issues and most of them are willing to go to any lengths to lose weight. Some of them have tried drastic diets, working out regularly in the gym but with no effect.
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